Lamborghini Urus – The SUV super athlete |
At the 2012 Beijing Motor
Show, Automobili Lamborghini presents the ultimate super athlete in the SUV
segment. With the Urus concept car, Lamborghini is completely redefining
dynamics and design in this category. The Urus combines unique design, a fascinating
interior and outstanding performance with versatility and everyday usability.
Output of around 440 kW / 600
hp and Lamborghini’s excellent know-how in the field of lightweight design
technologies guarantee breathtaking dynamics. At the same time, the Urus will
offer the lowest CO2 figure of all comparable vehicles. As an SUV concept with
four generous seats, a versatile luggage compartment, variable ground clearance
and, of course, permanent all-wheel drive, the Urus delivers unique driving fun
with virtually no limitations. The interior, too, matches the standards of this
super athlete with innovative materials featuring carbon fiber technology like
the patented Forged Composite®.
The luxury SUV segment is
successful worldwide and promises continued strong growth – a luxurious and
powerful SUV is the most emotional way to drive a four-door vehicle equipped to
meet all the demands of everyday mobility and yet enjoy refined driving fun.
The Urus means that a Lamborghini can now be used by a household as its primary
car. This expands the brand’s customer base enormously - appealing to families
and to the drivers of Lamborghini super sports cars who have thus far driven
SUV models from other brands. Target markets are primarily the USA, the United
Kingdom, Germany, Russia, the Middle East and China. The annual production
volume could conceivably be around 3,000 vehicles.
“The Urus is a very concrete
idea for the future of Lamborghini – as a third model line and as the perfect
complement to our super sports cars,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and
CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “SUVs stand for freedom and emotion. SUVs make
up one of the most successful market segments worldwide. The Urus is the most
extreme interpretation of the SUV idea; it is the Lamborghini of the SUVs.”
Heritage and Name
Permanent all-wheel drive is
part of the Lamborghini DNA; but the brand from Sant’Agata Bolognese is also no
stranger to the SUV segment - Lamborghini founded the super-luxury SUV segment
with the legendary LM002. When it was unveiled in 1986, the LM002 was an
absolutely revolutionary vehicle. An automobile suitable for off-road driving
with a twelve-cylinder engine and 450 hp, a top speed of more than 210 km/h, a
luxurious interior and, above all, an absolutely stunning appearance – it was
utterly unthinkable at the time. The Lamborghini LM002 remained in production
until 1992. And, although barely more than 300 units were ever built, the LM002
has secured its place in automotive history.
With the Urus, Lamborghini
designers and engineers have created a new icon in automotive history – that
much is certain. As has long been the tradition at Lamborghini, its name is
derived once more from the world of bulls – the Urus, also known as Aurochs, is
one of the large, wild ancestors of domestic cattle. Urus bulls could measure
up to 1,8 meters at the shoulder. The Spanish fighting bull, as bred for the
past 500 years, is still very close to the Urus in its appearance.
Concept and Technology
The Urus is the Lamborghini
among SUVs. Its concept places design, performance and driving fun firmly and
uncompromisingly front and center and redefines the benchmark for the
competition. Yet it offers plenty of space for four people and a generous
amount of luggage or shopping. The Urus is the Lamborghini for everyday use,
for the family, for leisure pursuits with friends.
Most importantly, however, it
is a true Lamborghini. The Urus has a unique, utterly unmistakable appearance.
It looks powerful, but not bulky. It is muscular and highly athletic, but also
elegant. At a length of 4,99 meters, it fits perfectly into the sporty SUV
class. At a height of just 1,66 meters, however, it is considerably lower than
all its competitors. Together with its width of 1,99 meters, the Lamborghini
Urus boasts the perfect proportions for the super athlete in the segment.
The key to its performance is
primarily the drive – the heart of every Lamborghini. The target has been set –
expect around 440 kW / 600 hp. Permanent all-wheel drive with traction control
is, of course, a given.
One target is clearly defined
– the Lamborghini Urus will beat all comparable competitors when it comes to
CO2 emissions. One important prerequisite for this is low weight. The Urus will
be considerably lighter than its competitors, sticking firmly to the
Lamborghini lightweight design philosophy. The steps to achieve this include an
intelligent material mix for the structure and bodyshell and, for the first
time, systematic lightweight design in the interior, too. The consistent
application of innovative carbon fiber technologies is a given - Automobili Lamborghini
possesses unique know-how in this particular field.
Lightweight design is the
decisive prerequisite not only for moderate fuel consumption, but also for
dynamics and handling. The Urus will set new benchmarks here, too. A low center
of gravity and a highly variable bodyshell height are among the solutions. The
Lamborghini SUV is also notable for its innovative, adaptive aerodynamics. In
combination with the variable bodyshell height, the height-adjustable front
spoiler facilitates a good approach angle and excellent obstacle clearance. At
its lowest setting, however, it aids stability at high speeds. The form is, of
course, aerodynamically refined. At the upper edge of the rear windshield is a
deflector that diverts the airflow along the rear windshield and onto the
adjustable spoiler. In combination with the likewise adaptive rear spoiler, the
aerodynamic balance of the Lamborghini Urus can even be adjusted to suit the
prevailing driving conditions.
Design
Lamborghini design is unique.
Every Lamborghini is an artwork of avant-garde design, a technical sculpture in
rapid movement. Every Lamborghini is pure and minimalist - exhibiting a clear
focus on what matters. The Lamborghini Urus concept car adheres to this logic
just as firmly as the Aventador sports car. Extremely tight, razor-sharp lines
define a precision that is at the very forefront of automotive design. And the
clean, taut, finely executed surfaces show the exceptional degree of competence
and experience possessed by Lamborghini in design, construction and bodyshell
manufacturing. The result is a tremendously precise design language with a
strong technical appeal that is amazingly spirited and light in its expression.
It starts at the front, which
already displays the clear family resemblance. The strong three-dimensionality
with sharp lines, a clear arrow form, large air intakes left and right, the Y
shape in the headlamps, the aerodynamically refined function of the elements
and the lines that run from the hood over the roof to the rear of the vehicle –
these characteristics of the Lamborghini design language are all evident in the
Urus.
And yet every single detail
has been reinterpreted – for example, the headlamps now take on a horizontal,
heptagonal form and feature full LED technology consisting of two arrays each
with three high-performance LEDs. LED light guides lend the daytime running
lights their characteristic Y-shape, while the LED fog lamps are positioned beneath
the huge air intakes. Between them is the adaptive front spoiler.
Characteristic for the side view of the Urus is the narrow window surface that
tapers sharply toward the rear. Together with the highly dynamic roofline and
the extremely muscular rear wheel arch, they create a taut and powerfully
sporty look. The marked indent formed behind the front wheel arch by the air
intake breaks the side view to give it a surprising degree of lightness.
Substantial wheels are part of
any Lamborghini, especially if it redefines dynamics in the SUV segment – the
all-new 24-inch wheels sport a double-spoke design and are forged from
matte-finish aluminum. Five carbon fiber winglets optimize ventilation. The
Urus is painted in a rich, lightly shimmering red that offers the ideal
contrast for the many bodyshell parts made from carbon fiber reinforced
polymer. A large proportion of the front spoiler, the complete side sills and
the mighty rear diffuser all clearly display their carbon fiber origins. There
are no conventional exterior mirrors, instead small and aerodynamically
optimized cameras monitor traffic conditions behind the vehicle. These images
are displayed via two TFT screens placed in ergonomically perfect positions on
the left and right of the cockpit.
The rear end of the Urus is
astonishingly round for a Lamborghini; it looks powerful, but in no way bulky.
The narrow rear lights featuring the Y signature are connected by a black strip
that adds emphasis to the car’s breadth. The attention paid by Lamborghini
designers to detail is evident everywhere, even on the exhaust system. The four
hexagonal end pipes are carefully fitted into chrome surrounds.
Interior
The Lamborghini Urus
completely redefines the term sporty within the SUV segment, yet without restricting
its everyday usability. This is particularly evident in its interior – the
driver and up to three passengers feel like they are wearing a perfectly
made-to-measure suit – carefully fitted, but comfortable. Yet there can be no
doubt that what we are dealing with here is the ultimate sports car among SUVs.
Virtually the complete interior is – in keeping with the Lamborghini
lightweight design strategy – finished in carbon fiber reinforced polymer.
Automobili Lamborghini
possesses a unique competence in the use of carbon materials, and exhibits this
innovative technology in the Urus concept car. The center tunnel is
particularly notable – an open, skeletal carbon fiber structure made from
Forged Composite®. It carries through the entire interior and is only partially
clad in leather-upholstered cushioning. Single cushions also clad the four
bucket seats. The seating position is lower and flatter than in any other
vehicle in the segment. Also all four bucket seats are made from Forged
Composite®.
The Lamborghini Urus concept
car also features an extremely minimized operating philosophy. Behind the
steering wheel are only the shift paddles for the dual-clutch transmission. All
other functions such as indicators, lights and windshield wipers are incorporated
into either the multifunction steering wheel or the center console. The driver
is delivered information via a freely programmable TFT screen behind the
steering wheel. Secondary functions like navigation, entertainment and climate
control are operated via a touchscreen on the center tunnel. A further
touchscreen is available for rear seat passengers.
Source: Lamborghini Press
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